Find the directional derivative of the function W = x²y + xyz at the p...
Understanding the Directional Derivative
The directional derivative of a function gives the rate at which the function changes at a point in a specified direction. It can be calculated using the gradient vector and the direction vector.
Step 1: Calculate the Gradient of W
The function is W = x²y + xyz. First, we find the gradient, ∇W, by calculating the partial derivatives:
- ∂W/∂x = 2xy + yz
- ∂W/∂y = x² + xz
- ∂W/∂z = xy
Now, at the point (2, -1, 0):
- ∂W/∂x = 2(2)(-1) + (-1)(0) = -4
- ∂W/∂y = (2)² + (2)(0) = 4
- ∂W/∂z = (2)(-1) = -2
Thus, the gradient vector at (2, -1, 0) is ∇W = (-4, 4, -2).
Step 2: Normalize the Direction Vector
The direction vector is given as 3dₓ + 4dᵧ + 12d_z. First, we write it as (3, 4, 12).
Next, we find its magnitude:
- Magnitude = √(3² + 4² + 12²) = √(9 + 16 + 144) = √169 = 13.
Now, we normalize the vector:
- Unit vector u = (3/13, 4/13, 12/13).
Step 3: Compute the Directional Derivative
The directional derivative D_uW is given by:
- D_uW = ∇W • u = (-4, 4, -2) • (3/13, 4/13, 12/13)
Calculating this yields:
- D_uW = (-4)(3/13) + (4)(4/13) + (-2)(12/13)
= -12/13 + 16/13 - 24/13
= -20/13.
Conclusion
The directional derivative of W at the point (2, -1, 0) in the specified direction is -20/13.
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